The people in Hagia Sophia proclaimed Nikephoros Botaneiates (still at Lampe) emperor

Summary:
Nikephoros Botaneiates was still at home in Lampe in Armeniakon, though he had many contacts with the disaffected in the capital. In fact he was proclaimed emperor by the officials and clergy, including the patriarch of Antioch Aimilianos and the metropolitan of Ikonion, and probably the patriarch of Constantinople Kosmas. The opponents of Michael VII gathered in Hagia Sophia, opening the gaols, making plans to gather other supporters and discourage opponents. An attempt to involve the kaisar Ioannes in the revolt via Michael Barys alerted Michael VII, then at Blachernai. But he failed to take decisive action, despite a proposal from Alexios Komnenos to Michael and Nikephoritzes that the Varangians should be used to break up the meeting. Botaneiates set out for the capital, purging two of his commanders who were afraid and had deserted 
Dates:
1078 January 7 
Aimilianos, patriarch of Antioch (Aimilianos 61)
  • Led together with the metropolitan of Ikonion (Anonymus 127) the officials and clergy of Constantinople who proclaimed Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) emperor in Hagia Sophia with the consent of the entire city (on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation (25.3.1078):ἄρτι τῶν τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεομήτορος ἐπιβατηρίων ἐφισταμένων) προεξάρχοντος τούτων τοῦ πατριάρχου Skylitzes Continuatus 178.1-3
  • Was probably one of the patriarchs who sent letters summoning to Hagia Sophia those among the officals not participating in the plot to overthrow the emperor (Michael 7): in association with Kosmas 11 (:) Οἱ ἁγιώτατοι πατριάρχαι, ἡ σύνοδος καὶ ἡ σύγκλητος συγκαλοῦσιν ὑμᾶς περὶ τὸν περιώνυμον ναὸν τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας Bryennios 247.7-9
  • Led together with members of the senate (Anonymi 5000) the plot to remove the reigning emperor (Michael 7) and to place Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) on the throne (:) κατάρχοντες δὲ τοῦ σκέμματος ἦσαν ὅ τε Αἰμυλιανός...ξὺν τούτῳ δὲ καὶ συχνοὶ τῶν τῆς συγκλήτου βουλῆς Bryennios 245.2-5
  • In the capital the people, Anonymi 6058 and Anonymi 6059 gathered and proclaimed Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates autokrator on the Feast of the Annunciation; he led the meeting with the metropolitan of Ikonion (Anonymus 127) (25 March 1078:κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ πανηγύρεως) Zonaras 18.18.10
Emperor Alexios I Komnenos (Alexios 1)
  • Being present when the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) reported to the emperor (Michael 7) about the conspiracy to overthrow him, and asked for his opinion, he suggested an excellent plan, namely to send troops quickly and arrest the leaders of the plot (:) Ἔτυχε δὲ τηνικαῦτα παρὼν καὶ ὁ Κομνηνὸς Ἀλέξιος καὶ γνώμην εἰσενεγκεῖν ἀπαιτούμενος βουλὴν ἀρίστην εἰσήνεγκε Bryennios 245.24-27
  • Summoned by the emperor (Michael 7 who rejected his first proposal to send troops against the rebels) and asked what action to take, he suggested to send armed imperial axe-bearing guards (Varangians) under a general against the largely unarmed crowd (:) ἔφησε γὰρ ὡς τοῦ συναθροισθέντος πλήθους τὸ πλεῖστον ἀπόλεμόν τέ ἐστι καὶ βάναυσον καὶ οὐκ ἂν ὑπόσταῖεν καθωπλισμένους ἄνδρας ἰδόντες καὶ πρὸς μάχην ἑτοίμους Bryennios 247.11-18
supporters of rebellion of Nikephoros Botaneiates (Anonymi 5000)
  • Members of the senate and the clergy were consulting about how to remove the reigning emperor (Michael 7) and place Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) on the throne, for most of them had been in touch secretly and received from the latter gold-sealed letters (:) οἵ τε τῆς συγκλήτου βουλῆς καὶ συχνοὶ τοῦ βήματος καὶ ἐσκόπουν ὅπως ἀποσκευάσονται τὸν κρατοῦντα Bryennios 243.18-23
  • Decided to gather in Hagia Sophia, arm their men, free the prisoners, contact those among the officials not participating in the plot and invite them to take part, and associate to their plan the kaisar (Ioannes 62) to whom they sent Michael 125 Barys: in association with Aimilianos 61 (:) Ἐβουλεύσαντο οὖν πρὸς τὸν περιώνυμον τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας ναὸν ἀθροισθῆναι καὶ τοὺς περὶ αὐτοὺς καθοπλίσαι καὶ τοὺς δεσμώτας ἐξαγαγεῖν τῆς φρουρᾶς Bryennios 243.23-245.7
  • Very early in the morning they gathered in the church of Hagia Sophia, opened the city's jails, and armed the convicts and as many servants and staff each of them had (:) τάς τε φρουρὰς τὰς ἐν τῇ πόλει ἀνοίξαντες καὶ τοὺς καταδίκους ὁπλίσαντες, πρὸς δὲ καὶ ὅσον εἶχεν ἕκαστος θεραπευτικὸν καὶ οἰκετικόν Bryennios 247.1-4
  • Threatened those of the officals not participating in the plot to burn down their houses if they did not join in and sent them letters on behalf of the holy patriarchs (Aimilianos 61? Kosmas 11?), the synod and the senate, summoning them to Hagia Sophia (:) ἐξέπεμπον πρὸς τοὺς τῶν ἐν τέλει μὴ μετασχόντας αὐτῶν τοῦ βουλεύματος καὶ ἐμπιπρᾶν τὰς οἰκίας ἠπείλουν Bryennios 247.4-9
generals of Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Anonymi 5018)
  • Fearful of the Turkish army lying in wait for Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) they deserted from his army on the way to Constantinople, showing their disloyalty and lack of gratitude, and violated their oaths and agreements (:) δειλιάσαντες πρὸς τὰς τῶν Τούρκων παρατάξεις Attaleiates: History 263.16-264.1 / 189.13-19
  • They were removed by Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates from his army, lest they boast of helping him in his impending endeavour and his accession to the throne, and reap a reward which they do not deserve (:) καὶ αὐτοὶ τὰς εὐεργεσίας ἀναξίως κομίσωνται Attaleiates: History 264.5-8 / 189.22-24
supporters of revolt of Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Anonymi 6058)
  • In the capital the people, they and Anonymi 6059 gathered and proclaimed Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates autokrator on the Feast of the Annunciation; the patriarch of Antioch Aimilianos 61 led the meeting and the metropolitan of Ikonion (Anonymus 127) (25 March 1078:κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ πανηγύρεως) Zonaras 18.18.10
prominent prelates who supported revolt of Nikephoros III (Anonymi 6059)
  • In the capital the people, Anonymi 6058 and they gathered and proclaimed Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates autokrator on the Feast of the Annunciation; the patriarch of Antioch, Aemilianos 1 led the meeting and the metropolitan of Ikonion (Anonymus 127) : in association with Anonymi 6058 (25 March 1078:κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ πανηγύρεως) Zonaras 18.18.10
metropolitan of Ikonion [1078] (Anonymus 127)
  • Led together with the patriarch of Antioch Aimilianos 61 the officials and clergy of Constantinople who proclaimed Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) emperor in Hagia Sophia with the consent of the entire city (on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation (25.3.1078):ἄρτι τῶν τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεομήτορος ἐπιβατηρίων ἐφισταμένων) Skylitzes Continuatus 178.1-3
  • In the capital the people, Anonymi 6058 and Anonymi 6059 gathered and proclaimed Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates autokrator on the Feast of the Annunciation; the patriarch of Antioch, Aimilianos 61 and he led the meeting (25 March 1078:κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς τοῦ εὐαγγελισμοῦ πανηγύρεως) Zonaras 18.18.10
Ioannes Doukas, kaisar (Ioannes 62)
  • Received late in the evening while at the church of Blachernai Michael 125 Barys, sent by the conspirators (Anonymi 5000, Aimilianos 61) to secure his support for their plot (to remove the emperor Michael 7 and place Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates on the throne) (:) Ἦν δὲ ὁ καῖσαρ τηνικαῦτα ἐνδιατρίβων πρὸς τὸν ἐν Βλαχέρναις ναόν Bryennios 245.5-11
  • Was shown by Michael 125 Barys a gold-sealed letter sent by Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) promising many gifts and honours (if Ioannes 62 joined the revolt against Michael 7) but replied without waiting that he would not betray his nephew the emperor (:) Ὁ δὲ τούτων ἀκούσας μηδὲ τὸ τυχὸν ἀναμείνας ἀντέφησε πρὸς τὸν ἄνδρα ὡς οὔτι ἑκὼν πρόοιτο ἂν τὸ τοῦ ἀνεψιοῦ καὶ βασιλέως συμφέρον Bryennios 245.11-15
  • Sent Michael 125 Barys to the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) whom he asked to listen to what he (Barys) had to say, to report to the emperor (Michael 7), and to act accordingly (:) πρὸς τὸν λογοθέτην ἐξέπεμπεν, ἀκοῦσαι τούτου κελεύων Bryennios 245.15-17
  • Considered the plan of Alexios 1 Komnenos (to send troops quickly in order to arrest the leaders of the conspiracy to overthrow his nephew the emperor Michael 7) the best of all: in association with Nikephoros 63 (:) Ἐφαίνετο μὲν καὶ τῷ καίσαρι καὶ τῷ λογοθέτῃ ἀρίστη πασῶν ἡ βουλὴ αὕτη Bryennios 245.27-28
Kosmas I, patriarch of Constantinople (Kosmas 11)
  • Was probably one of the patriarchs who sent letters summoning to Hagia Sophia those among the officals not participating in the plot to overthrow the emperor (Michael 7): in association with Aimilianos 61 (:) Οἱ ἁγιώτατοι πατριάρχαι, ἡ σύνοδος καὶ ἡ σύγκλητος συγκαλοῦσιν ὑμᾶς περὶ τὸν περιώνυμον ναὸν τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Σοφίας Bryennios 247.7-9
Emperor Michael VII Doukas (Michael 7)
  • Conducted business at the palace of Blachernai with the senate when the people gathered at Hagia Sophia intending to proclaim Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates emperor, and sent a chrysobull which was read in the church causing uproar rather than satisfaction (on Sunday, the day after the feast of the Lights (7.1.1078):τῇ ἐπαύριον τῆς λαμπαδηφόρου τῶν θεοφανίων ἤτοι τῶν φώτων ἑορτῆς) κατά τὴν κυριακὴν προκαθημένου καὶ χρηματίζοντος Attaleiates: History 256.11-257.3 / 184.25-185.10
  • Notified of the conspirators' gathering at Hagia Sophia (Anonymi 5000) he summoned Alexios 1 Komnenos and asked him what action to take under the circumstances, but disapproved of his proposal to send against them armed axe-bearing guards (Varangians) (:) Ὁ δὲ κρατῶν τῶν λεχθέντων ἀκούσας τὴν βουλὴν ἀπεστρέφετο Bryennios 247.11-18
  • Although it was still possible to quash the revolt (of Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates supported by Anonymi 5000) and put out the fire before it turned into a huge conflagration, he did not wish to do so (:) Τέως γοῦν ἐνὸν καταλῦσαι τὴν στάσιν καὶ κατασβέσαι τὸ πῦρ πρὸ τοῦ εἰς μεγίστην ἀναφθῆναι φλόγα· ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Bryennios 247.20-22
  • Happened to be at the church of Blachernai at the same time as the kaisar (Ioannes 62) who received Michael 125 Barys with news of the conspirators' (Anonymi 5000) plot to overthrow him, and was informed of the plot by the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) (:) Ἦν δὲ ὁ καῖσαρ τηνικαῦτα ἐνδιατρίβων πρὸς τὸν ἐν Βλαχέρναις ναόν· ἐν τούτῳ γὰρ ἔτυχε παρεῖναι καὶ αὐτὸν βασιλέα ... ὁ δὲ πρὸς τὸν κρατοῦντα πάντα ἀνέφερεν Bryennios 245.9-24
  • Did not agree with the plan of Alexios 1 Komnenos (to send troops quickly in order to arrest the leaders of the conspiracy to overthrow him) thinking that any arrests at this late hour might cause trouble and disorder in the city (:) ἤδη γὰρ ὀψίας οὔσης τῆς ὥρας, ἐδόκει θόρυβόν τε καὶ ταραχὴν γενέσθαι τῇ πόλει τινά, ἢν ἁλῷέν τινες Bryennios 245.27-30
Michael Barys, supporter of Nikephoros III (Michael 125)
  • Sent by the conspirators (Anonymi 5000, Aimilianos 61) to the kaisar (Ioannes 62) in order to gain his support for their plot (to remove the emperor Michael 7 and place Nikephoros 3 Botaneiates on the throne) (:) Ἔδοξεν οὖν αὐτοῖς πρὸ τοῦ ἔργου κοινωνὸν τοῦ σκέμματος λαβεῖν καὶ τὸν καίσαρα καὶ πέμπουσι πρὸς αὐτὸν τὸν Βαρὺν Μιχαήλ Bryennios 245.5-8
  • Visited the kaisar (Ioannes 62) late in the evening, announced the plan (to rebel against Michael 7), showed him a gold-sealed letter by Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3) promising many gifts and honours, but was sent away to the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) (:) ἀπήγγειλε τὰ τοῦ δράματος καὶ γραφήν τινα χρυσοσήμαντον ὑπεδείκνυ τούτῳ πεμφθεῖσαν παρὰ τοῦ Βοτανειάτου Bryennios 245.10-16
  • Summoned one of his men, sent him to the conspirators (Anonymi 5000) to tell them that if he were captured, being unable to bear flogging or torture, he would reveal what he knew at once, was led to the logothetes (Nikephoros 63) and revealed everything (:) τῶν περὶ αὐτὸν ἕνα καλέσας ἀπέστειλε πρὸς τοὺς συνωμότας, μηνύων αὐτοῖς ὡς, ἐπειδήπερ ἁλῴη, μὴ οἷός τε ὢν φέρειν μάστιγγας ἢ καὶ τὰς ἐκ βασάνων ποινάς, ἕτοιμός ἐστι φράζειν ἅπερ εἰδοίη Bryennios 245.18-23
Emperor Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Nikephoros 3)
  • Although away in his home town (Lampe) at Anatolikon, and not in touch with his supporters to influence them with promises, he was proclaimed emperor by the people gathered in Hagia Sophia (on Sunday, the day after the feast of the Lights (7.1.1078):τῇ ἐπαύριον τῆς λαμπαδηφόρου τῶν θεοφανίων ἤτοι τῶν φώτων ἑορτῆς) ἐν τῷ ἰδίῳ καθημένου πολίσματι Attaleiates: History 256.13-24 / 184.27-185.7
  • Left his home town (Lampe) for Constantinople in high spirit, and when two of his generals deserted (Anonymi 5018) he reacted without fear, realised their treachery and wickedness, and got rid of them lest they be rewarded for helping him to the throne (:) συμβαλὼν τὰς πονηρίας καὶ ἀτασθαλίας αὐτῶν Attaleiates: History 263.13-264.9 / 189.11-25
  • While on his way to Nicaea he was proclaimed emperor in Hagia Sophia by the officials and clergy of Constantinople under the leadership of Aimilianos 61 and of the metropolitan of Ikonion (Anonymus 127) with the consent of the entire city (on the eve of the feast of the Annunciation (25.3.1078):ἄρτι τῶν τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεομήτορος ἐπιβατηρίων ἐφισταμένων) Skylitzes Continuatus 177.22-178.4
  • Was in touch with members of the senate and the clergy in Constantinople (his supporters: Anonymi 5000) and sent them gold-sealed letters (:) ἔφθησαν γὰρ πρὸς αὐτὸν οἱ πλεῖστοι λάθρᾳ διαπρεσβεύσασθαι καὶ χρυσοσήμαντους γραφὰς ὑποδέξασθαι Bryennios 243.21-23
  • Having secured considerable support he left Phrygia advancing towards Bithynia, and contacted secretly those in the city (Constantinople) promising great honours and gifts to the officials if they supported his attempt to get hold of the Roman empire (:) τιμὰς μεγίστας καὶ δωρεὰς τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ἐπαγγελλόμενος, εἰ συνεργοὺς αὐτοὺς σχοίη πρὸς τὸ τῆς βασιλείας Ῥωμαίων ἐγκρατῆ γενέσθαι Bryennios 239.15-19
  • Sent with Michael 125 Barys a gold-sealed letter to the kaisar (Ioannes 62) promising many gifts and honours (if he joined the revolt against Michael 7) (:) γραφήν τινα χρυσοσήμαντον ὑπεδείκνυ τούτῳ πεμφθεῖσαν παρὰ τοῦ Βοτανειάτου δωρεάς τε πλείστας καὶ τιμὰς ἐπαγγελλομένην τῷ καίσαρι Bryennios 245.11-13
Nikephoritzes (Nikephoros 63)
  • Considered the plan of Alexios 1 Komnenos (to send troops quickly in order to arrest the leaders of the conspiracy to overthrow the emperor Michael 7) the best of all: in association with Ioannes 62 (:) Ἐφαίνετο μὲν καὶ τῷ καίσαρι καὶ τῷ λογοθέτῃ ἀρίστη πασῶν ἡ βουλὴ αὕτη Bryennios 245.27-28
  • Sent Michael 125 Barys by the kaisar (Ioannes 62), he was asked to listen to what he (Barys) had to say, to report to the emperor (Michael 7) and to act accordingly (:) ἀκοῦσαι τούτου κελεύων καὶ ἀκούσαντα πρὸς βασιλέα ἀνενεγκεῖν καὶ οἰκονομῆσαι τὰ δέοντα Bryennios 245.15-17
  • Having received Michael 125 Barys who revealed everything he knew, he reported everything to the emperor (Michael 7) (:) πρὸς τὸν κρατοῦντα πάντα ἀνέφερεν Bryennios 245.22-24